Electromagnetic uncoupler for model trains



1969 J. w. NIELSEN ELECTROMAGNETIC UNCOUPLER FOR MODEL TRAINS .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 24,

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INVENTOR. JAMES W. NIELSEN 7 /f, fig ATTORNEYS Nov. 4, 1969 J, w. NIELSEN 3,476,264

ELECTROMAGNETIC UNCOUPLER FOR MODEL TRAINS Filed May 24, 1967 .2 Sheets-Sheet MIN!! /////Im "II II II\\\\\ Fig.6

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JAMES W. NIELSEN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,476,264 ELECTROMAGNETIC UNCOUPLER FOR MODEL TRAINS James W. Nielsen, 44 Plymouth Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ. 07922 Filed May 24, 1967, Ser. No. 641,050 Int. Cl. B61g 7/04; A6311 19/08 US. Cl. 213-75 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to model train uncouplers and, more particularly, to electromagnetic uncouplers that may be inconspicuously mounted underneath the ties and tracks of a model train installation.

As is well known, model railroading is a very popular hobby and numbers thousands of people among its followers. Many model railroad installations are quite complex, and large quantities of money have been invested in their construction. One of the major goals of the model railroader is to attain realism in his installation, that is to duplicate as exactly as possible an actual full-size installation in all details. Thus far, devices for uncoupling model cars from each other have not been realistic in appearance, and are large relative to the scale size ofthe cars, tracks, etc.

The majority of the couplers now in use have downwardly extending pins for uncoupling purposes. When the two pins of two engaged couplers are moved outwardly toward the tracks, the couplers are disengaged or uncoupled from each other. Uncoupling devices which are now in general use are of four types:

" (1) Aflixed mechanical ramp, which lies between the rails, trips open the couplers as they pass over the ramp, provided the couplers are not in tension.

(2) A ramp lies between the rails as in the first type, but the ramp can only open the couplers when it is raised by electromagnetic means.

(3) A slab of permanent magnet of ceramic type lies between the rails on the ties. When the railroad cars pass over the magnet, their couplers are opened by the reaction of the pins attached to the couplers, provided the couplers are not in tension.

(4) This is similar to the third type, except that an electromagnet rather than a permanent magnet is placed between the tracks.

All four types of uncouplers are unrealistic in appearance and size. Furthermore, they do not operate well on curves, and, if the curves are of minimum operating radius, the couplers are generally inoperative. The first and third types of uncouplers heretofore noted are the most widely used. However, with those types of uncouplers, any accidental slack in the train as it passes over the uncoupler will cause unwanted uncoupling of cars.

The present invention overcomes the foregoing disadvantages in that it can be camouflaged to appear as ballast on the model roadbed, thus providing a very realistic appearance. It can be adjusted to operate reliably on curves of minimum operating radius. Being of electromagnetic design, it cannot uncouple accidentally :but is operable only when it is energized by an operator.

An electromagnetic uncoupler embodying the invention comprises a generally U-shaped core member having tines extending upwardly from its opposing arms. The tines are ice spaced apart along the length of the core member so that the core member may be mounted underneath the ties and rails with the tines extending upwardly between the ties. Only a small portion of each tine is visible and it may be painted to make it appear to be part of the track ballast. A coil is wound on the U-shaped core member to provide an electromagnet, which, when energized, exerts a separating force on the uncoupling pins of couplers passing over the electromagnet. The electromagnet may be adjusted :by bending along its length to conform to the curvature of the tracks between which it is mounted. Couplers passing over the electromagnet when it is unenergized will be unaffected and accidental uncoupling will not result.

The invention, together with other features and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing model cars connected by conventional couplers;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a core member of an electromagnetic coupler embodying the invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the core member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a. vertical sectional view of a modified core member;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an uncoupler embodying the invention;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the uncoupler shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of an installation embodying the uncoupler shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIGS. 8 (a) and 8(b) are plan views of an uncoupler mounted in straight and curved sections of track, respectivcly; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a section of track having the uncoupler of the invention mounted therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically a pair of model railroad cars 10 and L2 in running position on rails 14, which are mounted on ties 16. The reference numerals 14 and 16 will be used throughout to refer to rails and ties, respectively.

The cars 10 and 12 are respectively provided with couplers 18 and 20 of conventional type, which are respectively provided with downwardly extending uncoupling pins 18a and 20a. Each uncoupler is provided with an uncoupling pin which extends downwardly to a level just above the tops of the tracks. The uncoupling pins 18a and 20a are slightly offset from the center line between the tracks so that they may be moved apart mechanically or magnetically. Moving the uncoupling pins apart releasse the couplers from each other and uncouples the cars. It is assumed that the couplers are not in tension and that the uncoupling pins are made of a magnetic material so that they may be moved by magnetic attraction as well as by mechanical force. As previously noted, such couplers are conventional and well known in the art.

The present invention contemplates an electromagnetic uncoupler having a novel core construction, which is best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a core member 22 is of generally U-shaped cross-section having opposed arms 24 and 26 extending upwardly from a. fiat base portion 28, and having a height greater than its width. Each arm 24 and 26 is provided with a series of tines 24a and 26a, respectively, extending upwardly from the arms and being curved inwardly somewhat. The tines are spaced apart along the length of the core member 22 so as to fit between the ties of the model track with which they are used. Corresponding tines of the two series are directly opposed and curved toward each other. The tines are of such length that they will project slightly above the top surface of the ties, but terminate below the tops of the rails when the core member is placed against the track from below. The core member 22 may be constructed from a sheet of cold rolled steel, soft iron or other high permeability magnetic material. For convenience in forming the core member and later winding a coil upon it, and for obtaining the most magnetic flux compatible with the space available for the poles (tops of the tines), the thickness of the stock used to make the core member should be about 0.060 inch.

Although the invention is not limited to use with any particular size of model track, as an example dimensions are hereinafter set forth for an uncoupler suitable for use with the popular Model HO track. For use with such track the tines are between and A; wide and are spaced apart by approximately along the length of the core member 22. The length of the core member along the track may conveniently be any length between 71' and two inches. Relatively short core members make it difficult to stop a model train accurately enough to place its couplers in position to be uncoupled, while longer cores require an excessive amount of wire to be wound on the core member and hence require excessive power to oper ate. It has been found in practice that a core member one inch in length is most convenient from the standpoint of operation, and may be easily adjusted to operate with curved track as will be later pointed out. When used with straight track of Model HO type and conventional couplers, it has been found that the optimum distance between the centers of the poles (tops of the tines) is approximately Although mounting the uncoupler under the track in a suitable opening in a supporting table of the installation is preferred, it is possible to flatten the U-shaped core member and mount it above the supporting table, provided the track is graded properly on each side of the uncoupler. Such a flattened core member 22' is shown in FIG. 4. It is seen that arms 24' and 26' form more acute angles with the base 28 than to the corresponding arms 24 and 26 in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Hence, the tines do not extend upwardly as far in the embodiment of FIG. 4 as do those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the core member has a width greater than its height.

In order to create an electromagnet, the high permeability core member 22 is tightly wound with fine magnet wire to form a coil 30 having electrical leads 30a as shown in FIGS. and 6 wherein the uncoupler is designated by the numeral 32. Of course, the wire is wound only around the base portion .28 and the arms 24 and 26, leaving the tines bare of wire. The size of the wire may be from Nos. 26 to 30, and, for Model HO scale devices and their appropriate power supplies, between 500 and 600 turns of No. 28 wire is quite satisfactory. Since a typical power supply (not shown) for a Model HO train is capable of providing about 2.5 amperes at 12.5 volts, a coil having a resistance of approximately 6 ohms (approximately 600 feet of No. 28 wire) can easily be energized. The coil need be energized only momentarily to effect uncoupling, so that either the coil or the power supply can be overloaded during the uncoupling operation without damage to either.

As previously stated, it is preferred that the uncoupler be mounted in an opening in the supporting table for the installation, as shown in FIG. 7. A table 34 or other mounting platform supports a ballast board 36 on which the ties 16 are mounted, and ballast 38 covers the board 36. The table 34 is provided with a suitable opening 40 to accommodate the uncoupler 32, which rests on a plug 42 screwed or nailed to the bottom of the table 34. The plug 42 should extend upwardly into the opening 40 a sufiicient distance to position the uncoupler 32 so that the tines 24a and 26a rise slightly above the upper surfaces of the ties 16 but do not rise above the tops of the rails 14. In the case of presently known permanent magnet uncouplers, the uncoupler must extend above the tops of the rails,'thus creating an unrealistic appearance. The uncoupler 32 may be mounted in various ways, such, for example, as in a metal or plastic box (not shown), which fits within the opening 40 and is held in position by screws. The latter mounting arrangement has an advantage in that the position of the uncoupler may be easily adjusted by simply adjusting the screws holding the uncoupler box in place.

FIG. 8(a) is a plan view of the uncoupler of the invention installed in a section of straight track. As shown, the center lines of the track and the uncoupler coincide, so that the tines 24a and 2611 are approximately equally spaced inwardly from and close to the tracks. As previously noted, the tops of the opposed tines are spaced apart by approximately in a Model HO straight track installation. The configuration of the uncoupler is changed somewhat for installation on curved track, however.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), when mounted in a curved section of track, the uncoupler is positioned nearest the track having the greatest radius of curvature. The tines 24a are positioned close to the outer track and the tines 26a are positioned close to the center of the tracks. This, of course, requires that the uncoupler be arcuately bent to conform to the radius of the curve. For a Model HO track, the spacing between the tops of opposed tines is when used on a curve having 22" radius, and is increased to when used on wider curves. These widths may be adjusted slightly depending on the exact configuration of the uncoupling pins of the model cars. When the uncoupler is mounted on a curve, it is also desirable to rotate it about its longitudinal axis so that the tines nearest the center of the track are slightly higher than those tines nearest the rail. As shown in FIG. 8b, the tines 26a would rise to a slightly higher level than the tines 24a. 0n sharp curves the couplers of the model cars will swing outward toward the outer rail; this is especially true if the couplers are attached to the car frames. Thus, a somewhat stronger magnetic field is required to pull the nearest uncoupler pin back toward the center of the track to effect uncoupling than is required on straight track. This is accomplished by mounting the uncoupler so the tines 26a are slightly higher than the tines 24a.

As shown in FIG. 9, after the uncoupler is placed in position under the ties 16 and rails 14, the track is provided with ballast 38. The tines 24a and 26a extending upwardly through the ballast 38 may be painted to make them appear as part of the ballast. Thus, the uncoupler may be made very nearly invisible so that the installation presents a very realistic appearance.

In operation, the leads 30a of the uncoupler coil 30 are connected in series with an appropriate switch and power supply (neither the switch nor the power supply being shown). The model train containing the cars to be uncoupled is pulled over the uncoupler until the uncoupling pins 18a and 200! are approximately over the center of the uncoupler. If the couplers 18 and 20 are in tension after the train has been stopped, the train is backed slightly to release the tension. The circuit between the power supply and the electromagnetic uncoupler is then momentarily closed to energize the electromagnet and pull the uncoupling pins outwardly in opposite directions toward the rails. At this time the couplers are open and the train is then moved forward with the uncoupler still energized until the couplers clear each other. Of course, if the train is backed over the uncoupler the couplers are not in tension and any pair of cars which stops with the couplers over the uncoupler may be uncoupled immediately.

As previously mentioned, one of the advantages of an uncoupler embodying the invention is that it may be utilized with coupling equipment presently available and in use. The uncoupler is not only compatible with well known types of couplers but also with more recently developed couplers operating on the principle of delayed uncoupling. In that type of operation, the cars to be uncoupled are stopped over the uncoupler and the couplers opened in the usual manner. The engine is then backed off slightly to disengage the couplers, and the couplers are pulled 01f center by the action of the electromagnetic uncoupler. The couplers, which are still off center due to the continued action of uncoupler, are then engaged but not coupled and the car or cars pushed to a desired track or position. When the engine pulls away, the off-center couplers automatically separate and are then returned to their normal center positions for eventual recoupling.

It is now apparent that an uncoupler embodying the invention overcomes the disadvantages of presently known uncouplers as earlier set forth. It provides a very realistic appearance in that it can be virtually completely camouflaged to appear as part of the usual track ballast. It can be adjusted to operate reliably on curved track having a minimum radius of curvatures. It can only uncouple when it is electrically energized and thus does not permit accidental uncoupling of cars. Furthermore, it is completely compatible with a majority of existing coupling equipments.

It is understood that the various dimensions of the uncoupler set forth herein are applicable only when it is used with Model HO scale equipment. Those dimensions may be proportioned according to the sizes of other models with which it is used. It is apparent that many other changes and modifications may be made in the uncoupler of the invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An electromagnetic uncoupler for a model railroad having a pair of rails forming a track supported on a plurality of spaced-apart ties, the uncoupler comprising:

a core member of general U-shaped cross-section havin g a pair of elongated arms extending upwardly from a base portion and disposed in the direction of the tracks, each arm having a series of upwardly projecting tines integral with the arm and disposed in an elongated linear array in the direction of the track, said tines being spaced apart from one another by a distance greater than the spacing between the ties and with opposing tines on each arm being in confronting relation to each other and laterally spaced apart less than the lateral spacing between the rails, said core member being adapted for mounting below said ties with said tines extending upwardly between said ties and said rails; an energizable coil wound on said core member near the base of said U-shaped core and adapted to be concealed from view below said ties to provide a magnetic flux passing between confronting tines for decoupling two model cars.

2. The uncoupler defined by claim 1, wherein said coil is wound only on said base portion and said arms of said core member.

3. The uncoupler defined by claim 1, wherein the opposed tines are curved toward each other.

4. The uncoupler defined 'by claim 3, wherein said core member has a height greater than its width.

5. The uncoupler defined by claim 3, wherein said core member has a width greater than its height.

6. The uncoupler defined by claim 3, wherein said core member conforms along its length to the configuration of said track.

7. The uncoupler defined by claim 3, wherein said core member is curved along its length.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,897,362 2/1933 Daniels 213-75 2,932,773 4/ 1960 Matthews 335-281 X 3,111,229 11/1963 Edward et a1. 213212 3,117,676 1/1964 Edwards et al 2l3-211 3,188,427 6/1965 Cooper et a1 335-281 X OTHER REFERENCES Model Railroader, Electromagnetic ramp for Kadee couplers, January 1961, by Otto H. Schade Jr., pp. 54 & 55 relied upon.

-DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

